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- Chicken breast (1 lb, cut into bite-sized pieces) - Unsalted butter (4 tablespoons, divided) - Garlic (4 cloves, minced) - Dried thyme (1 teaspoon) - Smoked paprika (1 teaspoon) - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste - Pasta (8 oz, fettuccine or any preferred shape) - Heavy cream (1 cup) - Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (1 cup) - Chicken broth (1/2 cup) - Fresh parsley (for garnish) Gather these ingredients to create a delightful meal. The chicken breast adds protein and flavor. The unsalted butter and garlic will create a fragrant base. Dried thyme and smoked paprika bring warmth and depth to the dish. Salt and pepper enhance all the flavors. For the pasta, you can choose any shape you love. Fettuccine works well, but penne or spaghetti can also shine. Heavy cream and Parmesan make the pasta creamy and rich. Chicken broth adds a savory touch, while fresh parsley gives a pop of color. You can find the full recipe above. Cooking this dish is a fun way to enjoy a hearty meal that pleases everyone at the table. - Bring salted water to a boil. - Cook pasta according to package instructions. - Reserve pasta cooking water for later use. To start, fill a large pot with water and add a generous amount of salt. This will help flavor the pasta. Once the water boils, add your pasta. I like to use fettuccine, but any shape works. Cook it until it’s al dente, which means it still has a bit of bite. Remember to save about half a cup of that starchy pasta water. It helps make the sauce creamy later. - Heat a skillet and melt butter. - Season and cook chicken until golden brown. - Set the cooked chicken aside. Next, grab a large skillet and heat it over medium-high heat. Melt two tablespoons of butter until it bubbles. Then, add the bite-sized pieces of chicken. Season them with salt, pepper, thyme, and smoked paprika. Cook for about 5-7 minutes until the chicken is nice and golden. It should be fully cooked by this point. Once done, take the chicken out and set it aside on a plate. - Sauté garlic in the remaining butter. - Add chicken broth and scrape the skillet. - Incorporate heavy cream and simmer. In that same skillet, add the other two tablespoons of butter. Once it melts, toss in the minced garlic. Sauté it for about a minute. Stir it often to keep it from burning. When it turns fragrant and golden, pour in the chicken broth. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up those tasty brown bits stuck to the bottom. Let it simmer for about a minute. Next, add the heavy cream. Allow it to simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. You can find the full recipe for Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Savory Creamy Parmesan Pasta in the earlier sections. To get that right golden color on your chicken, use high heat. This helps create a nice sear. Cook the chicken pieces for about 5 to 7 minutes. Make sure to flip them halfway for even cooking. For seasoning, use salt, pepper, dried thyme, and smoked paprika generously. This mix of flavors makes the chicken tasty. If your sauce is too thick, add a little reserved pasta water. This water helps loosen the sauce while keeping it creamy. For the best flavor, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese. It melts beautifully and enhances the dish. To avoid burnt garlic, keep a close watch while sautéing. Stir it constantly for about one minute until it’s golden and fragrant. For serving, use deep bowls to hold the pasta. Twirl the fettuccine for a lovely look. You can pair this dish with a crisp green salad or garlic bread for a complete meal. For a creative touch, garnish with extra Parmesan and a sprig of fresh parsley. This adds color and freshness to your plate. For the full recipe, you can check the detailed instructions above. {{image_4}} You can easily switch out the chicken for shrimp or tofu if you want. Both options work well with garlic butter sauce. For a dairy-free meal, use coconut cream or almond milk instead of heavy cream. This change keeps the dish rich without dairy. When it comes to pasta, you can choose any type you like. Penne, rigatoni, or even whole wheat pasta are all great choices. Just remember to adjust the cooking time based on the pasta shape. To boost flavors, consider adding vegetables like spinach or sun-dried tomatoes. Spinach adds color and nutrition, while sun-dried tomatoes bring a sweet, tangy taste. You can also sprinkle in some red pepper flakes for a spicy kick. Experimenting with spices can elevate this dish too. Consider adding Italian herbs like oregano or basil. They will blend nicely with the garlic and cream. Additionally, trying different cheeses like Asiago or Pecorino Romano can give a new twist to the sauce. If you’re cooking for a crowd, it’s easy to scale up this recipe. Just double or triple the ingredients as needed. Keep an eye on the cooking times; larger batches may take a bit longer to cook through. For leftovers, this dish is perfect for meal prep. You can store it in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of chicken broth to keep it creamy. Adjust the cooking times if you use different proteins or pasta shapes. For example, shrimp cooks faster than chicken, so be sure to check for doneness earlier in the process. For the full recipe, refer to the beginning of this article. To keep your Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Savory Creamy Parmesan Pasta fresh, use airtight containers. Glass or plastic containers work well. This dish lasts in the fridge for about 3 days. Make sure to let it cool down before sealing it up. You can reheat this dish using a microwave or stovetop. For the microwave, place a portion in a bowl and cover it with a damp paper towel. Heat in short bursts, stirring in between. For the stovetop, add a splash of chicken broth to a pan, then heat gently. This helps keep it moist. Avoid high heat to prevent drying out the dish. To freeze the dish properly, let it cool completely. Then, place portions in freezer-safe bags or containers. Remove as much air as possible. This will help avoid freezer burn. It can be frozen for up to 2 months. To thaw, place it in the fridge overnight. Reheat on the stovetop, adding a bit of chicken broth if needed. Enjoy this creamy dish even after freezing! For the full recipe, check the earlier section. Preparing Garlic Butter Chicken Bites is quick and easy. The total time is 30 minutes. You spend about 15 minutes on prep work. This includes cutting the chicken and measuring the ingredients. Cooking takes another 15 minutes. You can have a delicious meal ready fast! Yes, you can make this recipe ahead of time. Store the chicken and pasta separately. Use an airtight container for both. In the fridge, they last up to three days. For easy reheating, use the microwave or stovetop. Add a splash of water or broth to keep it moist. You can pair Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with many sides. A fresh salad adds a nice crunch. Roasted vegetables also make a great choice. Garlic bread is perfect for dipping in the creamy sauce. For drinks, consider a light white wine or sparkling water. Enjoy your meal! In this post, we covered how to make Garlic Butter Chicken Bites. We went through the key ingredients, step-by-step cooking methods, and tips for perfecting the dish. You learned how to adjust flavors and make variations that suit your taste. My final thought is that this dish is easy and fun to customize. Try different ingredients to make it your own. Enjoy your cooking journey!

- Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Savory Creamy Parmesan Pasta

Indulge in the ultimate comfort meal with these delicious Garlic Butter Chicken Bites served over creamy Parmesan pasta! This easy recipe combines tender chicken, fragrant garlic, and rich Parmesan sauce for a dish that's sure to please your taste buds. Perfect for a family dinner or special occasion, it's ready in just 30 minutes! Click to explore the full recipe and make this mouthwatering meal tonight!
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Ingredients
  

1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

8 oz pasta (fettuccine or any preferred shape)

1 cup heavy cream

1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup chicken broth

Fresh parsley, finely chopped (for garnish)

Instructions
 

Cook the Pasta: In a large pot, bring salted water to a vigorous boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Once done, drain the pasta, making sure to reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water for later use.

    Sauté the Chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in the skillet. Once melted and bubbling, add the chicken pieces. Season the chicken generously with salt, pepper, thyme, and paprika. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.

      Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: Using the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter along with the minced garlic. Sauté for approximately 1 minute, stirring constantly to prevent the garlic from burning, until it becomes fragrant and golden.

        Create the Creamy Sauce: Pour the chicken broth into the skillet, using a wooden spoon to scrape up any flavorful browned bits that have stuck to the bottom. Allow this to simmer for about a minute. Next, stir in the heavy cream and let it simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes, until the sauce slightly thickens.

          Add the Cheese: Gradually whisk in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until it melts completely and the sauce becomes smooth. If the sauce appears too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired creamy consistency.

            Combine Everything: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, followed by the drained pasta. Gently toss everything together, ensuring the pasta and chicken are thoroughly coated in the luscious creamy sauce.

              Season and Serve: Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and freshly cracked pepper if needed. To finish, generously garnish the dish with fresh parsley to add a pop of color and freshness.

                Prep Time, Total Time, Servings: 15 minutes | 30 minutes | Serves 4

                  - Presentation Tips: Serve the pasta in deep bowls, twirling the fettuccine for an elegant look. Sprinkle extra Parmesan on top if desired, and place a sprig of parsley on each serving for a beautiful touch.